IN THIS ISSUE
Tips For Photographing Fireworks

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Hi ,

Happy Independence Day!

We'll be celebrating our country's 240th birthday with barbeques, family get-togethers, block parties and most of all...fireworks.

Here are ten camera tips on how to take fireworks pictures from writer and photographer Jon Sienkiewicz. Plus...a sure-fire technique for perfectly timed long exposures by Liz Masoner, the senior photo editor at the About.com Guide.

Enjoy your July 4th celebrations!


Best regards,
Dale

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Tip #1: Location is Everything!

Arrive at the fireworks venue well before dark to be sure there are no trees in your way.

If you’re sitting on the grass, take the higher ground so those who arrive after you do not block your view.

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Tip #2: Bring a Tripod

If carrying a tripod is inconvenient, bring a monopod.

Your tripod is an accessory that can improve EVERY image you capture.

For sharp fireworks pictures it is almost a necessity.

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Tip #3: Set Your Camera’s ISO to 400

Keep in mind high ISO settings and undesirable image "grain" go hand-in-hand.

Experiment with ISO settings of 800 and 200, and other ISO settings, too. But, for the best results...and minimal noise...we'd suggest keeping your ISO to 400 max.

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Tip #4: Turn Your Camera’s Built-in Flash OFF

This setting is generally indicated by the circle-slash-lightning bolt icon.

You may want to try a shot or two using the Night Portrait flash setting on your camera if there are people in the shot. Try it at least once.

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Tip #5: Set the Camera on Manual and the f/Stop to the Largest Setting (Remember, that’s the smallest number, like f2.8 or f3.5)

Set the shutter speed to 1/60th of a second for starters. Later you’ll shoot at 1/30, and 1/15 settings ... or time exposures ... until you find the right combination. If you’re quick you can shoot two or three shots of each burst of fireworks, and if you’re really quick you can change shutter speeds on the fly.

Use the LCD monitor to judge whether or not you’ve achieved proper exposure. When you do, continue to shoot at that combination. Fireworks are much brighter than you think. So, err on the side of under exposure and you’ll probably be right.

Enlarge your images on your LCD and check to be sure your shots are sharp.

No manual settings? Then you’ll have to shoot on Auto. The only way you can adjust the camera is by increasing and decreasing the ISO setting.

If your camera incorrectly selects too long a shutter speed you'll get over-exposed pictures with white streaks instead of the brilliant colors of the fireworks.

Begin with the highest possible ISO setting and work your way down to the lowest ISO that gives you both sharp pictures and brilliant color.

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Tip #6: The Key to Long Exposure Fireworks Photos Is In Your Timing

Anticipating the rockets' flash point and snapping the shutter so that it’s open during the peak brilliance of the explosion can be a bit tricky.


Here's a great timing technique from Liz Masoner: 
  1. Listen - Fireworks are loud when they are initially launched. When you hear the the boom start counting.
  2. Look - When the fireworks explosion starts, count again.
  3. Act - Use the time from the "listen" step to know when to push the shutter button just before an explosion begins. Use the time from the "look" step to know how long a shutter speed you need to capture the entire explosion bloom.
That's it! The #1 secret to fireworks photography is just that simple. Know your timing and you'll get the shot you want.


An Important Reminder: To capture the full bloom of fireworks explosions you'll be taking time exposures. These long exposures will look sharp only if you have your camera on a tripod. Consider taking a small, compact tripod like this one if you'd rather not carry a large one.

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Tip #7: Smart Exposure and Story-Telling Techniques

Focusing Tips -

If your camera has Manual Focus, Landscape Mode or forced Infinity Focus setting, you’re in luck.

If not, you’ll probably still be okay, but you may lose some time...and a shot or two...while your camera searches for its correct focus.

How To Click the Shutter Without Blurring Your Picture -

Use your infrared remote release (if you have one), which allows you to trigger the camera without touching it. Touching the camera, even when it’s on a tripod, transfers movement which can reduce sharpness in the picture.

If you must press the shutter release button by hand, do it ever so gently.

Put Your Story Into Context -

If you’re lucky enough to be watching fireworks launched over water try to include some reflections.

At baseball or other sports stadiums, catch part of the scoreboard to add a sense of the surroundings and better tell the story of the event.


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Tip #8: Fireworks Are Small Explosions

Fireworks burn on their way to the ground and leave a trail of sparks and smoke.

Watch which way the wind is blowing and, if practical, have the wind at your back. It will blow the debris away from your view and you’ll get better pictures.


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Tip #9: A Few Words of Caution
  • Don’t set your camera down on the ground (as in wet grass) or it may become damaged.
  • Since you’ll be running the LCD monitor continuously for up to thirty minutes, bring a spare battery if you have one. Buy a spare battery if you do not.
  • High ISO settings will cause image noise to appear in your otherwise perfect pictures. Try, if at all possible, to use ISOs of 400 or less.
  • Bring a small flashlight.

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Tip #10: The Best Fireworks Often End the Show

Many times the end of the performance is signaled by a rapid fire barrage of white concussion rockets.

Although not as colorful as some earlier rockets, these displays still create interesting pictures—especially because they illuminate so much of the ground below them.

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Have a Happy Independence Day


Comfortable weather, family events and fireworks make Independence Day festivities the perfect occasion for memorable pictures.

One Final Tip – If you want fireworks pictures that will "pop" like no "regular" prints can:
  • Order prints from our laboratory on Kodak Metallic paper.
  • Metallic paper is not available at retail stores or from most other online sites.
  • We offer Metallic prints on both of our sites and in our lab store.
You snap the pictures ... we'll do the rest!
Best wishes,
Dale
Dale Farkas
President, iPrints.com & iPrintsPro.com
(Online services of Dale Laboratories)

Questions? Call (800) 327-1776. We're here to help!
 
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Holiday Schedule: Our Hollywood, Florida store and professional laboratory will be closed today in honor of the holiday. We'll be open tomorrow, July 5th, from 10:00AM - 5PM.